I'm looking for info re: average accuracy with M70's in 300WSM. I bought a M70 Classic SS a couple months ago. Even after free floating the BBL and glass-bedding the action, I'm still in the 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" range with lateral stringing. The first shot (cold, clean BBL) goes to point of aim, but all following shots group 2" higher/2" to the right. The group will then string slightly from top to bottom, but within the size range I mentioned. Any suggestions?
John

Most rifles require a fouling shot before they will shoot a group from a clean barrel. I usually shoot a fouler, then my groups. The fouling shot from my .300 RUM hits low left about an inch or so from the rest of the group. I'm sure this would vary from gun to gun. I don't think that I'd worry about it. Shoot the fouler then shoot for groups. When you hunt, check zero before hunting and leave your gun fouled. It's really no big deal.

bowhuntr

What stock do you have? How much do you tighten each of the guard screws?

What ammunition are you using? Scope?

In general all cartridges produce about the same accuracy in perfect rifles.

Get it bedded properly, the Bedding from the factory is a joke, just a squirt of epoxy. My Model 70 300WSM Laminate is getting pillar bedded and free floated right now.

Totally agree with Kevin. I have several identical M70's in SS. Not one shot well in any caliber until it was properly bedded and barrels floated. One 308 was converted to WSM. Using the same tupperware stock it shoots MOA or better consistently.

He said that he had glass bedded the action and free floated the barrel!

My guess is that he has a walnut stock or maybe a laminate.

I got a new M 70 SS Classic last Oct. in 7 mm WSM and it shot 2" horizontal groups at 100 with handloads. It had that injection molded factory stock you talk about and the barrel had forend pressure on it at the tip. When I started to free float it the stock was warped and it kept going to the left. I bent the stock back the other way and then I found that either the foreplate screws and were too long and the magazine was too high or the stock was too short as the screws would only tighten on the magazine.

So I shortened and threaded the screws and shortened the magazine and the rifle shot great. Most groups with SBT's were under an inch at 100 and all of the MK's grouped under 1/2"

But the "recoil pad" on that factory stock is not a recoil pad! It's very hard plastic. By coincidence a friend had a Bell & Carlson for that SA M70 and I had bought it cheap. It's on the rifle now only because of it's nice soft pad.

Sorry I did not see(or remember) that you had floated and bedded the rifle already. I guess checking screws for interference would be next, check the scope too. Did you try different powders and seating depth or are you shooting factory ammo?

To all who have replied-thanks. It is a standard M70 Classic, stainless with the synthetic stock. It has been fully glass-bedded and free-floated. I usually hunt with a fouled barrel, so I'm not relly worried about the first shot. I was a bit concerned about the 1 1/2" groups that I'm getting with a bit of lateral stringing. This seems to be a bit larger and less consistent groups than most 300 WSM owners are getting out of their production rifles.
Thanks again,
John

Those forends on that stock are real flimsy. After floating make sure that the forend isn't bending up and contacting the barrel when in firing position, either on bags or in your hand. You either need to stiffen that forend or wallow it out more to eliminate that contact when the forend bends up. I learned the hard way.

Check your bedding and action screws as recommended by another poster. If they are properly torqued (minimum 25 in/lbs front and rear, 10-12 in/lbs center,)try loosening completely the two rearmost screws or removing entirely the rear screw to see if there is a change in POI. If there is you have a bedding problem. If there isn't a change you must look at the scope system, action, bolt lugs or barrel.